During this unprecedented time of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic, most countries are struggling to optimize their healthcare resources. Although the prevention and treatment of COVID 19 has become the priority for the majority of the population, most medical professionals are facing the challenge of balancing the management of this pandemic and treating patients with other diseases. Healthcare professionals from all specialties are facing this situation and designing guidelines and recommendations that are contributing to the literature that is crucial for disease management at the current time. We share our experience with two ends of the spectra that we currently observe in spine patients. One group of patients included the non-operative cases that presented with back pain. Further, we discuss our experience with operative precautions and digitally assisted discharge.

Pelvic ring injuries with rotational and translational instability are complex and often result from high-energy trauma, posing significant challenges in management. Internal fixation has emerged as the preferred approach, with traditional methods such as iliosacral screw fixation exhibiting drawbacks like implant-related morbidity and hardware complications. This paper presents a modified minimally invasive transiliac plating technique aimed at addressing these challenges. The surgical technique involves careful preoperative planning, precise patient positioning, and meticulous exposure of the posterior pelvic structures. Key steps include osteotomy of the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), formation of a subcutaneous tunnel, contouring and placement of the plate, and fixation with strategically positioned screws. Additionally, the modified technique incorporates the replacement of the osteotomized PSIS bony fragment, providing secondary stability and minimizing the risk of implant back out. This modification aims to enhance biomechanical stability, reduce implant-related morbidity, and ensure optimal functional outcomes. The technique’s efficacy is supported by biomechanical principles and clinical studies, indicating its potential as a promising alternative in the management of unstable pelvic ring injuries. Overall, this modified approach offers improved patient comfort, reduced surgical risks, and enhanced long-term outcomes, contributing to advancements in pelvic ring fracture management.

Pelvic ring injuries with rotational and translational instability are complex and often result from high-energy trauma, posing significant challenges in management. Internal fixation has emerged as the preferred approach, with traditional methods such as iliosacral screw fixation exhibiting drawbacks like implant-related morbidity and hardware complications. This paper presents a modified minimally invasive transiliac plating technique aimed at addressing these challenges. The surgical technique involves careful preoperative planning, precise patient positioning, and meticulous exposure of the posterior pelvic structures. Key steps include osteotomy of the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), formation of a subcutaneous tunnel, contouring and placement of the plate, and fixation with strategically positioned screws. Additionally, the modified technique incorporates the replacement of the osteotomized PSIS bony fragment, providing secondary stability and minimizing the risk of implant back out. This modification aims to enhance biomechanical stability, reduce implant-related morbidity, and ensure optimal functional outcomes. The technique’s efficacy is supported by biomechanical principles and clinical studies, indicating its potential as a promising alternative in the management of unstable pelvic ring injuries. Overall, this modified approach offers improved patient comfort, reduced surgical risks, and enhanced long-term outcomes, contributing to advancements in pelvic ring fracture management.

Pelvic ring injuries with rotational and translational instability are complex and often result from high-energy trauma, posing significant challenges in management. Internal fixation has emerged as the preferred approach, with traditional methods such as iliosacral screw fixation exhibiting drawbacks like implant-related morbidity and hardware complications. This paper presents a modified minimally invasive transiliac plating technique aimed at addressing these challenges. The surgical technique involves careful preoperative planning, precise patient positioning, and meticulous exposure of the posterior pelvic structures. Key steps include osteotomy of the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), formation of a subcutaneous tunnel, contouring and placement of the plate, and fixation with strategically positioned screws. Additionally, the modified technique incorporates the replacement of the osteotomized PSIS bony fragment, providing secondary stability and minimizing the risk of implant back out. This modification aims to enhance biomechanical stability, reduce implant-related morbidity, and ensure optimal functional outcomes. The technique’s efficacy is supported by biomechanical principles and clinical studies, indicating its potential as a promising alternative in the management of unstable pelvic ring injuries. Overall, this modified approach offers improved patient comfort, reduced surgical risks, and enhanced long-term outcomes, contributing to advancements in pelvic ring fracture management.

BACKGROUND: Pain on injection is a limitation with propofol use. The effect of the Valsalva maneuver on pain during propofol injection has not been studied. This maneuver reduces pain through the sinoaortic baroreceptor reflex arc and by distraction. We aimed to assess the efficacy of the Valsalva maneuver in reducing pain during propofol injection. METHODS: Eighty American Society of Anesthesiologists class I adult patients undergoing general anesthesia were enrolled and divided into two groups of 40 each. Group I (Valsalva) patients blew into a sphygmomanometer tube raising the mercury column up to 30 mmHg for 20 seconds, while Group II (Control) patients did not. Anesthesia was induced with 1% propofol immediately afterwards. Pain was assessed on a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS), where 0 represented no pain, and 10, the worst imaginable pain, and a 4-point withdrawal response score, where 0 represented no pain, and 3, the worst imaginable pain. Scores were presented as median (interquartile range). RESULTS: We analyzed the data of 70 patients. The incidence of pain was significantly lower in the Valsalva than in the control group (53% vs 78%, P = 0.029). The withdrawal response score was significantly lower in the Valsalva group (1.00 [0.00-1.00] vs 2.00 [2.00-3.00], P < 0.001). The VAS score was significantly lower in the Valsalva group (1.00 [0.00-4.00] vs 7.00 [6.25-8.00], P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A prior Valsalva maneuver is effective in attenuating injection pain due to propofol; it is advantageous in being a non-pharmacological, safe, easy, and time-effective technique.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Baroreflex ; Humans ; Incidence ; Propofol* ; Prospective Studies* ; Sphygmomanometers ; Valsalva Maneuver* ; Visual Analog Scale

Purpose: Fracture union after osteosynthesis of a fracture neck femur (FNF) occurs by compression of the fracture ends and potential neck shortening. Selection of an implant for fixation of a femoral fracture of the neck can be challenging when making management decisions. Femoral neck shortening after internal fixation of FNFs using a femoral neck system (FNS) or multiple cannulated cancellous screws (MCS) was compared. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university teaching hospital. Sixty patients undergoing internal fixation for management of sub-capital or trans-cervical FNFs were randomized and assigned, to one of the two groups—the test group (FNS group) and the control group (MCS group). Primary outcome was determined by measuring the difference in 1-year shortening of the femoral neck on radiographs between FNS and MCS. The secondary objective was to determine the correlation between neck shortening with patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) at the end of the final follow-up. Results: At the final follow-up, shortening of the femoral neck was 3.77±1.87 mm in the FNS group, significantly lower compared with the MCS group, 6.53±1.59 mm. Conclusion Significantly less shortening of the femoral neck was observed in the FNS group compared with the MCS group. No statistically significant difference in PROMs was observed at 1-year follow-up. The findings of the study suggest that FNS can be regarded as a suitable alternative for internal fixation in young adults (<60 years) with trans-cervical and subcapital FNFs.

Purpose: Fracture union after osteosynthesis of a fracture neck femur (FNF) occurs by compression of the fracture ends and potential neck shortening. Selection of an implant for fixation of a femoral fracture of the neck can be challenging when making management decisions. Femoral neck shortening after internal fixation of FNFs using a femoral neck system (FNS) or multiple cannulated cancellous screws (MCS) was compared. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university teaching hospital. Sixty patients undergoing internal fixation for management of sub-capital or trans-cervical FNFs were randomized and assigned, to one of the two groups—the test group (FNS group) and the control group (MCS group). Primary outcome was determined by measuring the difference in 1-year shortening of the femoral neck on radiographs between FNS and MCS. The secondary objective was to determine the correlation between neck shortening with patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) at the end of the final follow-up. Results: At the final follow-up, shortening of the femoral neck was 3.77±1.87 mm in the FNS group, significantly lower compared with the MCS group, 6.53±1.59 mm. Conclusion Significantly less shortening of the femoral neck was observed in the FNS group compared with the MCS group. No statistically significant difference in PROMs was observed at 1-year follow-up. The findings of the study suggest that FNS can be regarded as a suitable alternative for internal fixation in young adults (<60 years) with trans-cervical and subcapital FNFs.